We ride for a number of reasons, some that are closely held and others more pronounced. Our motivation for why we readily participate in the PMC, is to stamp out that hideous heart breaker we know as cancer. Team DASSAULT members from Providence will have special thoughts about our own SIMULIA family members, who include Effie Goldstein, wife of our former CEO Mark Goldstein and Tim Mason, the General Manager of SIMULIA’s office in Cleveland.

Sadly, Tim Mason, succumbed to cancer on Father’s Day, June 15, after a valiant fight. Tim was a talented engineer and manager and a wonderful personality who is sorely missed by his wife, two children and his colleagues. We honor his memory and hope to help prevent others being taken from us in the prime of their lives.

We ride as one and we ride for all……

Stephanie is an 11 year old who was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia on October 24, 2006. She is the official Pedal Partner of Team SolidWorks for 2007. Stephanie is in remission and is receiving treatment at the Jimmy Fund Clinic in Boston and will be in treatment until November 2008. Prior to her illness Stephanie was an avid athlete who participated in the Wareham Little League, Wareham Youth Soccer and a local basketball and bowling league. She had to give up some of her sporting activities but returned in January to continue bowling and played in the Wareham Little League in 2007 when her health would allow it. Stephanie returned to school in January 2007 and successfully completed the 5th grade in spite of an abbreviated school schedule. Stephanie became a volunteer library assistant working with younger students while her class had recess.

She is sharing her story of life as a 5th grader with Leukemia with local artist Gretchen Pyne in hopes of creating a book to be placed in medical offices and hospital libraries to help support children and their families who share serious medical problems. In recognition of her accomplishments she was awarded a Principals award, Good Citizenship Award and the Main Street to Learning, Main Street to Life Award. Stephanie is looking forward to attending the Wareham Middle School in the fall and being a batperson for the Wareham Gatemen this summer.

Peter Brennan had recently begun his official retirement when he was diagnosed with advanced stage Kidney Cancer. Upon his diagnosis, Peter was given 2-3 months to live with little hope for successful treatment.

Peter lived in Colorado's Rocky Mountains where he was an avid environmentalist and outdoor enthusiast. Before his diagnosis, Peter spent his days volunteering for the Rocky Mountain National Park Service creating and repairing mountain trails, and accompanying park rangers on hikes to mountain summits conducting water testing in lakes and streams for the University of Colorado. Having great knowledge about Colorado's terrain and environment, Peter also volunteered at the Estes Park Visitor's Center serving as an advisor and guide to park visitors.

Peter bravely fought his illness for seven and a half months before passing away on March 21, 2007. He had lived a full life but still had a lot more of living left to do. He was the father of former long-term SolidWorks employee, Julie Brennan.

Joyce Goodman, Mother and Mother in law of Team SolidWorks riders Rob Goodman and Mark Feldman. Joyce is a breast cancer survivor and currently battling uterine cancer. Rob has raised over $89K in his 7 years participating in  the PMC in her honor and will surpass $100K this year. Joyce is a mother of three and grandmother of three. Joyce is pictured with her newest grandson Jake.

Dennis Sweeney is a programmer at SolidWorks Corporation and has survived cancer twice.  At the age of 19 he survived testicular cancer when the right testis was infected with a teratocarcinoma which resulted in a right radical orchiectomy.  Ten days after having surgery to remove the cancer, abdominal exploratory surgery showed a cancer free lymph system so no chemo was needed.  At the age of 32 the left pectoral minor was infected with a germ cell tumor that was ten percent immature teratoma.  Since the second cancer was also a teratoma it was considered most likely to be a metastasis of the first.

Radiation and Chemotherapy were required after the second cancer because the tumor was exposed to the chest.  This is where cancer research comes in… the chemo that was required for this type of cancer was extremely difficult.  Any work that can be done to improve the survivability and quality of life for patients that require this treatment will be appreciated by countless people.

Dennis lives with his wife Kiyomi in Shirley, MA and considers every day a good day to be alive.

Ari is the 6 year old nephew of Team SolidWorks rider Robert Goodman and was recently diagnosed with Pre–B cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in February, 2006. One day he was a cheery, adorable, bright kid running around – the next day he was tired, bruising easily and diagnosed with childhood cancer. He's been undergoing nearly weekly chemotherapy treatment and will continue them for the next 3 years. He's had ports implanted in his arms and chest, lost his hair, been on steroids, made more visits to the emergency room than anyone can count. Doctors have pinned his chances of survival at 70% and that doesn't take into account the devastating effects of chemotherapy on a growing child's brain and body. Since the beginning of treatment Ari dubbed himself a Super Hero, and he's since been Superhero Ari to all of us for what he's going through.

Chris Berg was a QA Engineer at SolidWorks Corporation who lost his battle with cancer in late 2002 at the young age of only 29 years old. He had a great, friendly demeanor and very strong work ethic even while facing one of the physically toughest battles. We miss Chris every day.

Erica is the 7 year old daughter of a Product Manager at SolidWorks Corporation. At 5 years old, she was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (A.L.L.). At The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute she received chemotherapy, radiation and a bone marrow transplant to successfully treat her disease.